Chili Palmer is a Miami mobster who gets sent to L.A. to collect a bad debt from Harry Zimm, a Hollywood producer who specializes in cheesy horror films. When Chili meets Harry's leading lady, the romantic sparks fly. After pitching his own life story as a movie idea, Chili learns that being a mobster and being a Hollywood producer really aren't all that different.
Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld
based on novel or book
miami, florida
gambling
gangster
money
murder
travel
mobster
mafia
business
debt
hollywood
drugs
producer
con
Rank
#75 in 1995·#4423 overall
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.5 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
John Travolta
Chili Palmer
Gene Hackman
Harry Zimm
Rene Russo
Karen Flores
Danny DeVito
Martin Weir
Dennis Farina
Ray 'Bones' Barboni
Delroy Lindo
Bo Catlett
James Gandolfini
Bear
Jon Gries
Ronnie Wingate
Renee Props
Nicki
David Paymer
Leo Devoe
Martin Ferrero
Tommy Carlo
Miguel Sandoval
Mr. Escobar
Crew
Barry Sonnenfeld
Director
Scott Frank
Screenplay
John Lurie
Original Music Composer
Donald Peterman
Director of Photography
Michael Shamberg
Producer
Stacey Sher
Producer
Danny DeVito
Producer
Barry Sonnenfeld
Executive Producer
Elmore Leonard
Novel
Dane Farwell
Stunts
Debra Zane
Casting
Skip Lievsay
Supervising Sound Editor
Popular Reviews
238 reviews
Ronald Rodriguez
6.0★ · 04/11/26
This is one of those films in which you known its gonna be a solid 3 stars right from the beginning. Not a bad thing but this is one of those films meant to entertain rather than challenge you. I can see this being one of my comfort films to watch and the main character being a cinephile himself is one way to get the hard-core movie fans to like him. Also Danny DeVito is in this movie so that is a huge plus. Nice to see the legendary James Gandolfini in a role besides Tony Soprano.
This is one of those films in which you known its gonna be a solid 3 stars right from the beginning. Not a bad thing but this is one of those films meant to entertain rather than challenge you. I can see this being one of my comfort films to watch and the main character being a cinephile himself is one way to get the hard-core movie fans to like him. Also Danny DeVito is in this movie so that is a huge plus. Nice to see the legendary James Gandolfini in a role besides Tony Soprano.
Felix Manley
8.0★ · 04/11/26
Zinger film about films. All films about films seriously bang it’s actually an instant zinger scheme. John lurie score is the cherry on top of the cast full of cherries If u watch this film and don’t enjoy it you’re miserable it’s a super fun time simple Brilliant ending danny devitos existence alone is funny who found that guy
Zinger film about films. All films about films seriously bang it’s actually an instant zinger scheme. John lurie score is the cherry on top of the cast full of cherries If u watch this film and don’t enjoy it you’re miserable it’s a super fun time simple Brilliant ending danny devitos existence alone is funny who found that guy
Dom Golder
6.0★ · 04/11/26
Good
Good
orangutan
10.0★ · 01/25/26
Not too shabby John Travolta
Not too shabby John Travolta
amy marie
6.0★ · 01/23/26
just an absolute gem of a movie. john travolta is so charming and rene russo is so fitted up.
just an absolute gem of a movie. john travolta is so charming and rene russo is so fitted up.
